I recently came across a silver plated antique cocktail strainer that resembled a Hawthorne-like strainer:
Silver Plate Cocktail Strainer
It had what I believed to be French hallmarks and had a wire ring that was the same as contained in William Wright’s 1892 patent for a strainer; this type has since been called a “Hawthorne” strainer. It had the same opening in the side of the wire ring as Wright had called for in his patent. However, the coil that was supposed to slip over the wire ring was missing. In his patent, William Wright mentioned that the opening in the ring was to allow for removal of the coil in order to clean it. It seems someone removed the coil on this strainer and never replaced it.
The Back Had a Wire Ring Similar to Wright’s Patent
I researched French silver marks looking for the “L & F” mark that was on this strainer. Perhaps it was Le Jean & Froidure, but I was not sure.
So I kept searching and found several interesting cocktail strainer patents that I thought I’d share here.
1881 Alden Drink Strainer Patent
This 1881 patent by H. C. Alden was for a strainer with a very short handle and what he calls a “web” type strainer. What is interesting in his patent is that he mentions that “heretofore the kind of strainer most commonly used … was a scalloped or shell-shaped spoon provided with perforations….” The strainer he was describing was a scalloped julep strainer which is still popular today. Alden’s patent is proof that the scalloped shaped julep strainer was being used earlier than commonly thought today.
Alden Strainer Patent Detail
And this rather strange looking strainer patented by C. B. Hopkins was to be used by the person drinking to protect his mustache.
1888 Hopkins Drink Strainer Patent
It could also be used to strain liquid from a chamber into another glass.
1888 Hopkins Patent Detail
As far as I know, this 1889 C. P. Lindley patent is the first U. S. patent to utilize the coil edge feature.
1889 Lindley Patent
His detail leaves much flexibility as to the design which is evident in the drawings shown above. Note the variations in bowl and handle.
1889 Lindley Julep Strainer Patent Detail
Holmes & Edwards offered the Lindley Julep Strainer in silver plated nickel silver. Note that Lindley was from Bridgeport, CT as was Holmes & Edwards. The coil does not extend as far around as those shown in the 1889 patent. The following is an October 10 1899 ad from “Hardware”:
1899 Holmes & Edwards Lindley’s Julep Strainer Ad
This silver plated Lindley strainer was still being offered for sale in 1903 and was featured in the Holbrook, Merrill and Stetson catalog:
1903 Holbrook, Merrill & Stetson Lindley Strainer Ad
C. J. Hauck of Brooklyn, NY, manufactured barware along with various other items. C. J. Hauck Jr. patented a very inventive strainer in 1890:
1890 C. J. Hauck Jr. Strainer Patent
This strainer could be used to strain liquids from solids or for liquids to be “imbibed from said vessel without bringing the strainer in contact with any feature of the person drinking.”
This 1892 William Wright strainer is the one known as the Hawthorne strainer.
1892 William Wright Strainer for Mixed Drinks Patent
Wright’s coil goes completely around the strainer and it is supported by a wire ring. Figure 4 of his patent shows the strainer with the coil removed. You can see the separation of the ends of the wire ring at “e” (very similar to my French strainer). Mr. Wright claims the purpose for the ring being “divided or disconnected” at the ends was to allow for the removal of the coil for cleaning purposes. The handle had several “corrugations” that would allow for various size vessels.
This patent was assigned to Dennis P. Sullivan of Boston, Massachusetts, who just so happened to own “The Hawthorne, Gentlemen’s Cafe and Restaurant”.
1892 Wright Strainr for Mixed Drinks Patent Detail
The following article is taken from the Aprill 26, 1894 issue of “The Iron Age”. It shows an illustration of the Hawthorne strainer with “D. P. Sullivan’s” and the patent date on the handle. Below the illustration it reads that this “Hawthorne Julep Strainer” was being manufactured by Manning, Bowman & Co. of Meriden, Connecticut. It was constructed of silver plated brass.
1894 The Iron Age Magazine Hawthorne Strainer Article
This 1904 F. H. Vogt strainer was comprised of inner and outer sections of coiled wire. This strainer was claimed to be very light, simple to use and durable.
1904 Vogt Strainer Patent
Note that this Vogt strainer was assigned to Charles J. Hauck & Son.
1904 Vogt Strainer Patent Details
This 1907 Thomas Lashar patent is interesting in that the handle comes straight off the strainer. There is no dip or corrugation on the handle; there is a curved lip or hook at the opposite end that “engages” the top of the glass.
1907 T. B. Lashar Julep Strainer Patent
Note that this Lashar patent was assigned to International Silver of Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1907 Holmes & Edwards of Bridgeport was an International Silver company and I believe this patent was assigned to them.
Lashar Patent Specification
And lastly, another coil themed strainer, this one in 1908 by D. H. Mosteller. This design was to allow the strainer to accomodate a small whisky glass and for larger shakers as well.
1908 Mosteller Liquid Strainer Patent
This patent was assigned to the Mosteller Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois.
1908 Mosteller Liquid Strainer Patent Details
With regard to my French cocktail strainer, I don’t know if its design with the wire ring was borrowed from William Wright’s patent or if Mr. Wright was inspired by a French design.
Early French Cocktail Strainer
The French strainer is available here at my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/193707306/early-silverplate-french-cocktail
You can find julep strainers, bar spoons and other bar related items here at my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/queenofsienna?section_id=15886427&ref=shopsection_leftnav_10
